Coristine, L. October 28, 2016. Including climate in protected areas: promoting biodiversity under climate change with Legislative and regulatory recommendations. Submission to Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development for Federal Protected Areas and Conservation Objectives at the request of Deb Schulte.

Coristine, L. Climate change impacts on species and the interactions with extent and intensity of human land-use. Guest lecturer: EVDS626 Landscape ecology and planning, November 8, 2016, University of Calgary.

Kerr, J. T., and L. Coristine. Habitat loss, climate change, and the evidence of their impacts on ecosystems and species at risk across Canada. Society for Conservation Biology, 24th Annual Meeting. July 3-7, 2010, Edmonton, Alberta.

Coristine, L. Climate change effects on ranges of North American birds. Graduate seminar, 2010. University of Ottawa.

Research Project Experience

Jan 2017 - Present

Integrated risk assessments and capacity development for Disaster Risk Management of floods

Identifying ecological factors contributing to resilient communities among Canada’s First Nations, and developing capacity building toolkits for knowledge management in vulnerable First Nations communities.

Sept 2016 - Sept 2018

Research collaboration with private and non-governmental institutions, including: Nature Conservancy of Canada, The Nature Trust BC, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Yellowstone to Yukon, O2 Planning and Design. North America-wide research involves identifying sites with climate change attenuation, estimating climate change exposure for species-at-risk, and designing protected area networks that incorporate cross-scale assessments of climate change attenuation and climate connectivity.

May - Aug 2017

Galiano Workshop on Science for spaces and species: A framework to guide the designation of protected areas in Canada (Co-organizer)

Led project design, facilitation, and planning for a collaborative, multi-institutional research project on integrating science and evidence-based decision making into Canadian policy for protected areas expansion under the Convention on Biological Diversity 2020 (Canada Pathway to Target 1). This intensive six-day workshop brought together leading scientific, legal, and policy experts with a team of early-career and postdoctoral researchers.

Sept 2016 - present

SESYNC Workshop: How can Indigenous communities use climate change projections and assessments to prioritize scarce resources for adaptation and mitigation? (Co-Principal Investigator)

International 25-person workshop and research program to investigate social and ecological sustainability of Indigenous Communities under climate change scenarios. The multi-faceted project will advance a synthesis between Traditional Ecological Knowledge and scientific ecological knowledge through a (1) geospatial database with multiple forms of quantitative and qualitative data, (2) searchable tool database with tool development modules (3), and lay and scientific publications.

Sept 2013 - Aug 2015

Climate change attenuation sites and assessments of utility for biodiversity, group project

Project leader of a collaborative effort spanning multiple universities. Facilitated discussion on definitions and principle components that could inform an algorithm to identify contemporary sites demonstrating climate change attenuation characteristics across continental North America. Assessment of Bombus persistence and extinction within attenuation and non-attenuation sites.

June - Aug 1999

Algonquin wolf research study, Canada

Fieldwork involving field monitoring and data collection across southern Ontario for recordings of wolf pack vocalizations, and scat collection. Laboratory work involved preparation of samples and macrofossil identification of scat for dietary analysis. Prepping and morphological measurements of wolf skulls. Supervised by John Theberge.

Fellowships, Scholarships and Awards

Liber Ero Postdoctoral Fellowship

2016-2018

$120,000

Dean’s Scholarship

2016

$2,000

Student Travel Award, Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution

2016

$500

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Ottawa

2015-2016

$12,500

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Ottawa

2014-2015

$5,500

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

2014-2015

$15,000

University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarship

2014-2015

$8,000

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Ottawa

2013-2014

$5,500

Ontario Graduate Scholarship

2013-2014

$15,000

University of Ottawa Excellence Scholarship

2013-2014

$8,000

Student Travel Award, Society for Conservation Biology

2015

$1,000

Student Travel Award, University of Ottawa

2015

$750

Heather Glendinning McMurter Award

2013

$2,000

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Ottawa

2012-2013

$18,000

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Ottawa

2011-2012

$18,000

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Ottawa

2010-2011

$18,000

Graduate Teaching Assistantship, University of Ottawa

2009-2010

$18,000

Research Grants

2017 - 2018

$50,000

SESYNC Workshop Indigenous communities: promoting social and ecological sustainability in the face of climate change

Co-PIs: Coristine, L. and Pittmann, J. + 25 participants

Description: Investigate the social and ecological sustainability of Indigenous Communities under climate change scenarios. The project will develop a geospatial database with quantitative and qualitative data, advance a synthesis for Traditional Ecological Knowledge and scientific ecological knowledge, and develop a publication and funding proposal for further research.

2017 - 2018

$ pending

Transboundary Conservation Planning

Yellowstone-to-Yukon, The Nature Conservancy, Center for Large Landscape Conservation, Defenders of Wildlife, National Fish and Wildlife, Laura Coristine

2016 - 2018

$30,000

Description: Research funds to conduct postdoctoral research on the climate change attenuation and protected area connectivity for biodiversity.

Career Development and Volunteering

Feb. - April 2018

uO2.0 Mentoring Program, University of Ottawa

Mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students through the University of Ottawa. Help mentees develop transferable skills, professional networks, and introduce mentees to a professional setting related to their program.

Jan - Mar 2018

Advanced Leadership Training: Empowerment Dynamics

Methods to envision outcomes and assess individual and group perceptions in order to shift working group dynamics.

Jan - Mar 2018

Advanced Leadership Training: Empowerment Dynamics

Methods to envision outcomes and assess individual and group perceptions in order to shift working group dynamics.

Reviewer for the Canada Pathway to Target 1 National Advisory Panel Expert Task Teams on (1) Connectivity, and (2) Representativity

Reviewed two of seven expert task team reports submitted to the National Advisory Panel. Provided feedback, comments and documentation on climate change relevance to connectivity and representativity when identifying new protected areas.

Invited delegate informing discussions and break-out sessions in order to identify current and future disaster risk reduction solutions.

Oct 2016

Liber Ero Research Workshop: building a climate change dispersal network

Organized, and facilitated a two-day multi-stakeholder workshop that included land trusts, environmental non-governmental organizations, private firms, and academics. Workshop objectives included: development of a common understanding for terminology, co-ordination of data requirements, identification of barriers and opportunities with respect to implementation of research (e.g. policy, GIS, data).

July 2016

Canadian Society for Ecology and Evolution: workshop discussion group leader

Participant in a discussion panel (Jeremy Kerr, Rees Kassen, Jeannette Whitton, and myself) providing advice and feedback to university students on the topic, “How can scientists engage policymakers and influence policies?”

May 2016

Research Matters: Pop-up Research Park, Council of Ontario Universities

Invited participant to an annual reception that showcases critical cutting-edge research with tangible benefits for society conducted at Ontario universities. Event provided a forum to engage Members of Parliament and senior government officials with my research on climate change impacts to songbirds within North America.

Training to enhance written, audio, and video communication of scientific research with the media and general public. Components included: using message box, developing an elevator pitch, the art of the interview, practice interview sessions with media, development of press releases, etc.

2016

Canadian Open Dialogue Forum 2016, Canada2020

Collaborative multi-stakeholder review of draft principles for engaging the Canadian public in open dialogue and open data initiatives. Participated in interactive workshops and discussions.

2014

Community outreach and media relations in the sciences, University of Ottawa

This two-month program trains scientists to communicate effectively with the media and general public. Theory and applied concepts included: engaging an audience, public speaking, media interviews, writing a press release, and activity development for school-age children. This course led to my creating a climate change module comprised of two activities aimed at grade 9-10 high school students for Let’s Talk Science, a national volunteer organization

2014

Committee member, Ontario Public Interest Research Group campus greening

My involvement in this project arose from personal interest in revitalizing a neglected boreal forest greenspace (Husky Courtyard) at the University of Ottawa. This project involved collaboration with local sustainability projects, data collection, as well as care and maintenance of the greenspace such as planting native flowers and shrubs, pruning and removal of invasive species, and surveying flora.

2013

Symposium volunteer, Institute for Science, Society and Policy, University of Ottawa

Science and Society 2013: Emerging Agendas for Citizens and the Sciences. Responsibilities included synthesizing workshop and panel presentations, and participating in the writing of a technical report.

2000-2001

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources

Designed a natural heritage strategy for the Midhurst District based on assessments and monitoring of species-at-risk, ecologically significant areas, wetlands, local to regional land-use challenges and development pressures. The strategy document was comprised of a comprehensive database, information sheets for flora, fauna and features of interest, and a district report with recommendations for prioritization and management.

2000-2001

Algonquin to Adirondacks Conservation Initiative, Steering Committee

I assisted with workshop organization and co-ordination, as well as synthesis of multi-stakeholder workshop results. I contributed to writing and editing of a draft report to guide policy direction for Algonquin to Adirondacks Conservation Initiative based on evaluation of partner and organizational objectives.